Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-01
THE APRIL SKIES.
MOVEMENTS or THE CELESTIAL Bo-
DIES DuRrsa APRIL.
Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars. and nsr.
eury-Brillisnt sights on the
fventy-fourth.
Providence Journal

21st, and after that time evening star.
On the Dist, at o'clock in the morn
ing, our giant brother planet is IN OPP
position with the sun, his only superior
in the solar system. He is rs far away
from him ms possible, and at his near
est point TO the earth. The opposi-
ton of Jupiter is a gala-day for ter
restrial observers, for ii is the time
when he takes on his most superb as
pect, the time when astronomers hope,
by untiring assiduity, TO wrest from his
unwilling grasp some Of the secretsof his
physical condition. This privilege may
be enjoyed on the 2lst, not only at the
time OF opposition, but during the
whole month, for Jupiter is the mos.
brilliant star in the celestial vault. with
one exception, from the commence
ment of April to its close. We say
with one exception, but Venus, on the
twilight sky, though larger and more
fascinating, is not so grand and stately
as Jupiter is on the dark background
Of the midnight sky. There is no need
of pointing out Jupiter Any observer
who watches the southeast horizon
about 8 o'clock on the LIST will behold
his advent, shining like young moon
ard claiming supremacy over the sur
rounding stars.
VENUS is evening star. She is so
lovely an object in the glowing western
twilight that it seems almost like ON in
justice to give her the second place on
the April record. Jupiter, however,
reaches the elimination of his course,
and Venus will not reach her period OF
greatest brilliancy until the 10Th of Au-
gust. Therefore she is not onthe pima
Gle of her fame just now, but her charm
ing presence will grace the western sky
till summer closes. AT the beginning
of the month Jupiter rises about a half
hour before Venus sets. At the end Of
the month Jupiter is visible as soon as
Venus, shortly after sunset, and the
two brightest stars in the armament are
seen together for more than two hours,
Jupiter rising in the east and Venus
sinking in the west till she disappears
below the western horizon and leaves
her rival without his peer.
SATURN is evening star. He forms
the third member of the planetary
trio, and although not as brilliant as
Jupiter and Venus, unites with them
in adjoining the starlit sky of April.
On the 9Th, at s o'clock in the evening,
Saturn is in quadrature on the suns
eastern side. He is then on the me-
ridian Of sunset, and makes fine APP
pearance as soon as it is dark enough
for the stars to come out, as he
hangs high in the sky south of the twin
stars, Castor and Pollux. 1t will be
interesting to note the approach be
tween Saturn and Venus, for one OF
these days they will meet and pass each
other. On the 25th, at o'clock in the
morning, Saturn is in conjunction with
Delta Geminorum, being at the time
twelve minutes north of the star. The
conjunction occurs when Saturn is be
low the horizon, but planet and star are
near enough on the evening of the 24tf
TO repay careful observation.
MERCURY is morning star throughout
the month. On the 18th this swift
traveller among the stars reaches his
greatest western elongation, being 81
90 west Of the sun, or nearly at hi'
maximum distance. He is visible then
and for few days before and after as
morning star.
MARS is evening star until tie oath,
and then becomes morning star. His
hitherto monotonous course is diyersi
fed with an event. On the oath, at
o'clock in the evening, he is in con
junction with the sun. His long career
az evening star is ended, and, passing
to the suns western side, he commences
his course as morning star. He will bt
of little account during the present
year, not becoming Wis BILE till October
URANUS is evening star. He contin
ues in a favorable position for observa
ton, pursuing his retrograde course 81
that on the oath he is in conjunction
with the beautiful double star Gammi
Virginlo, passing q south. The con
junction Will afford an excellent oppor
tunity forseeing Uranus with the naked
eve or an opera-glass.
NEPTUNE is the evening star. On th'
18th he is in conjunction with Venus
as already referred to. At the close o
the month jupiter, Uranus, Saturn
Venus, and Neptune are evening stars
Mercury and Mars are morning stars.
The April moons fulls on the 9Th
hour 80 minutes A. NJ. 1t is the mos
important moon Of ali the year, for it i
the first full moon after the verna
equinox, and determines when Easte
shall fall. Easter Sunday in turn il
| the pivot on which hang oil thu
movable feasts and fasts of the Church
Our satellite, even if she be deat
world, exercises in this way powerful
influence in human affairs.
The sun is now well established OF
our side of the equator and his northern
declination increases every day, as wei
as his star above the horizon and tn,
power of his rays. The sun rises on thu
lst at Oh. 29m. A. NJ, and sets at Oh
lin. 2. NJ, making the days length
12h. A2m. On the 30th the SUI
rises at 4h. 43m. A. NJ, and set
at Oh. 49m. p. NJ, making the day
length 14h. There is, therefore, al
increase of In. Ism. in the days.
length during the month. On the 15tl
the day is divided into two equal parts
the morning and evening are exactly o
the same length, the mean noon andtht
apparent noon coincide. The sun
declination increases rapidly. On tn
LIST his decliuation is A. 81 north. On
Tho Goth "A Sc Iio KY north ebowino tha